Convicted MLB star detained and admitted to a clinic after family plea

The troubles continue for former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has entered a mental health facility, according to the Santo Domingo National Police.

In a statement released on social media, the capital’s police said they responded to a request for assistance from Franco’s family, “who sought support during a delicate moment related to the young athlete’s mental health.”

Officers arrived at Franco’s residence in Peravia province, about 40 kilometers south of Santo Domingo. Police spokesman Diego Pesqueira said they were accompanied by a medical team, which provided initial treatment before Franco was transported to the capital for further care.

“Thanks to the swift joint intervention, the baseball player was able to receive timely professional attention and was transferred to a private health center in Santo Domingo, where he is now receiving appropriate care,” the statement read.

Just last weekend, Franco reported on social media that one million pesos (around $15,600) had been stolen from his room at a resort in Puerto Plata. However, his lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, later clarified that it had been a misunderstanding and the money was found in the bedroom.

During the incident, Franco streamed live on Instagram, showing an officer in the room. “Look at the police here. They want to take me away, look,” he said before the phone slipped to the ground. In the background, he could be heard confronting the officers, at one point shouting at them to show their hands.

In late June, Franco was handed a two-year suspended sentence on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. The young woman’s mother received a 10-year sentence for sexual exploitation and money laundering.

Franco signed a $182 million contract with the Rays in 2021 but has not appeared in a major league game since August 2023, when allegations about his relationship with a then-14-year-old girl first emerged on social media.

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